AKP Phnom Penh, September 30, 2025 --

Cambodia has called on governments and stakeholders worldwide to step up efforts in protecting public access to reliable environmental information, warning of what it described as a “dual threat” of ecological crises and disinformation.

Speaking at the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI) 2025 conference hosted by UNESCO in Manila, H.E. Tep Asnarith, Undersecretary of State and Spokesperson of Cambodia’s Ministry of Information, said societies today face a parallel challenge: climate change, forest and biodiversity loss, pollution, and natural disasters on one side—and the spread of fake news, particularly on social media, on the other.

“Disinformation has increasingly emerged as a serious challenge, impacting safe and quality access to environmental information,” he told the participants during a high-level panel marking a decade of the Paris Agreement.

The spokesperson underlined that the right to information is guaranteed under Cambodia’s Constitution. The Royal Government has made environmental transparency a central part of its communication strategies, in line with its obligations under the Paris Agreement and the Cambodia Sustainable Development Goals (CSDGs).

According to H.E. Tep Asnarith, the Royal Government regularly publishes data on forest cover, biodiversity, protected areas management, waste management, pollution control, among other aspects. He added that spokespersons from ministries and provincial information offices also provide daily updates, while the Provincial Departments of Information across the Kingdom disseminate local environmental news as part of routine communications.

To counter disinformation and malinformation, the spokesperson highlighted the importance of the nationwide “Say No to Fake News” campaign, spearheaded by Cambodia’s Ministry of Information. The initiative combines media literacy drives with grassroots outreach to protect citizens from manipulation and disinformation. He noted that Ministry’s Anti-fake News Committee also monitors and fact-checks false information, including misleading environmental reports about floods, droughts, forest cover and biodiversity figures, among other aspects.

“The honest and responsible use of information is vital to ensure it serves the public good and supports sustainable development,” he said, calling for verified and accountable communication practices.

The spokesperson urged partnerships among governments, journalists, media associations, civil society organisations, development partners, and local communities to strengthen resilience against disinformation and ensure that environmental data shared with the public is accurate and trustworthy.

The global conference, co-hosted by UNESCO and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines, is themed "Ensuring Access to Environmental Information in the Digital Age," brought together international delegates, UN officials, civil society groups, and media leaders to discuss how better access to environmental information can bolster climate action, disaster preparedness, and sustainable development.

By Heng Panha